Ilex plant named &#39;EN1&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Ilex  plant named ‘EN1’, characterized by its compact, uniform and mounding plant habit; freely branching habit; dense and bushy growth habit; glossy medium green-colored leaves; and good garden performance.

Botanical designation: Ilex×hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘EN1’.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO CLOSELY-RELATED APPLICATIONS:

Filed: Feb. 9, 2016

Application Ser. No. 14/998,741

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present Invention relates to a new and distinct Ilex plant, botanically known as Ilex×hybrida and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘EN1’.

The new Ilex plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Poplarville, Miss. The objective of the breeding program was to develop new compact and uniform Ilex plants with mounding plant form.

The new Ilex plant originated from a cross-pollination during the spring of 2003 of an unidentified proprietary selection of Ilex×hybrida, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with Ilex×hybrida disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,487, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Ilex plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor in 2005 as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled environment in Poplarville, Miss.

Asexual reproduction of the new Ilex plant by softwood cuttings in Poplarville, Miss. since 2006 has shown that the unique features of the new Ilex plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Ilex have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘EN1’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘EN 1’ as a new and distinct Ilex plant:

-   -   1. Compact, uniform and mounding plant habit.     -   2. Freely branching habit; dense and bushy growth habit.     -   3. Glossy medium green-colored leaves.     -   4. Good garden performance.

Plants of the new Ilex differ from plants of the female parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Ilex are more uniform and denser than         plants of the female parent selection.     -   2. Plants of the new Ilex have better leaf retention than plants         of the female parent selection.

Plants of the new Ilex differ from plants of the male parent, ‘Conaf’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Ilex are more compact and mounding than         plants of ‘Conaf’.     -   2. Plants of the new Ilex have smaller leaves than plants of         ‘Conaf’.

Plants of the new Ilex can be compared to plants of Ilex×hybrida ‘EN2’, disclosed in U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 14/998,741. Plants of the new Ilex differ from plants of ‘EN2’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Ilex are shorter than plants of ‘EN2’.     -   2. Plants of the new Ilex are less vigorous than plants of         ‘EN2’.     -   3. Plants of the new Ilex are less freely branching than plants         of ‘EN2’.

Plants of the new Ilex can be compared to the plants of Ilex×meservaea ‘Blue Princess’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Poplarville, Miss., plants of the new Ilex differed from plants of ‘Blue Princess’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Ilex were more compact, mounding and         uniform than plants of ‘Blue Princess’.     -   2. Plants of the new Ilex had larger leaves than plants of ‘Blue         Princess’.     -   3. Plants of the new Ilex and ‘Blue Princess’ differed in fruit         color as plants of ‘Blue Princess’ had darker red-colored         fruits.

Plants of the new Ilex can be compared to the plants of Ilex×meservaea ‘Mesog’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,878. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Poplarville, Miss., plants of the new Ilex differed from plants of ‘Mesog’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Ilex had larger leaves than plants of         ‘Mesog’.     -   2. Plants of the new Ilex and ‘Mesog’ differed in fruit color as         plants of ‘Mesog’ had darker red-colored fruits.

Plants of the new Ilex can also be compared to the plants of Ilex×meserveae ‘Magland’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,878. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Poplarville, Miss., plants of the new Ilex differed from plants of ‘Magland’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Ilex were more mounding than and not as         upright and pyramidal as plants of ‘Magland’.     -   2. Plants of the new Ilex were smaller with shorter internodes         than plants of ‘Magland’.     -   3. Plants of the new Ilex had smaller and glossier leaves than         plants of ‘Magland’.     -   4. Plants of the new Ilex were more freely flowering and         fruiting than plants of ‘Magland’.     -   5. Plants of the new Ilex and ‘Magland’ differed in fruit color         as plants of ‘Magland’ had lighter red-colored fruits.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Ilex plant. The photographs show the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the colors of the new Ilex plant. The photograph on the first sheet is a side perspective view of a typical plant of ‘EN1’. The photograph on the second sheet is a close-up view of a stem of ‘EN1’ with leaves and developed fruits.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations and measurements describe plants grown during the autumn in #7 containers in a polypropylene-covered shadehouse in Park Hill, Okla. and under cultural practices typical of commercial Ilex production. During the production of the plants, day temperatures averaged 23° C. and night temperatures averaged 9° C. Plants were eight years old when the photographs and detailed description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2001 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Ilex×hybrida‘EN1’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Unidentified proprietary selection             of Ilex×hybrida, not patented.         -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Ilex×hybrida ‘Conaf’, disclosed in             U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,487. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—By softwood cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About three weeks at             temperatures about 32° C.         -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About six weeks at             temperatures about 5.5° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About four             months at temperatures about 32° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About six             months at temperatures about 5.5° C.         -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fleshy; typically             white in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on             substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and             formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of             roots.         -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; medium density. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Perennial shrub; compact, uniform             and mounding plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit.         -   Branching habit.—Freely branching habit; dense and bushy             growth habit with about 23 lateral branches developing per             plant.         -   Plant height.—About 2.4 meters to 3 meters.         -   Plant diameter, area of spread.—About 2.4 meters to 3             meters.         -   Lateral branch description.—Length: About 30.5 cm. Diameter:             About 1.3 cm to 3.2 cm. Internode length: About 2 cm.             Strength: Strong; stiff, not flexible. Texture: Smooth,             glabrous. Color: Close to 165A.         -   Leaf buds.—Length: About 2 mm. Diameter: About 2 mm.             Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: Close to 187A.         -   Leaf description.—Arrangement: Alternate, simple. Length:             About 4.4 cm. Width: About 1.85 cm. Shape: Ovate. Apex:             Acuminate. Base: Attenuate. Margin: Entire with spines.             Venation pattern: Pinnate. Aspect: Mostly horizontal.             Fragrance: None detected. Texture and luster, upper surface:             Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Texture and luster, lower surface:             Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: Developing leaves, upper             surface: Close to 143A; towards the margins, close to N77A.             Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 152C. Fully             expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to N134A; venation,             close to N144C. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close             to 141C; venation, close to 141C. Petioles: Length: About             7 mm. Diameter: About 2.25 mm. Aspect: About 45° from stem             axis. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous.             Color, upper and lower surfaces: Close to N144C.         -   Stipules.—Stipule development has not been observed on             plants of the new Ilex. -   Flower description:     -   -   Flower appearance and arrangement.—Axillary rotate flowers             arranged in clusters; flowers face upright to outwardly;             flowers inconspicuous; about 15 to 20 flowers develop per             lateral branch.         -   Natural flowering season.—Plants flower during the spring in             Oklahoma.         -   Flower longevity.—Flowers last about four days on the plant;             flowers not persistent.         -   Fragrance.—None detected.         -   Flower diameter.—About 4 mm by 3 mm.         -   Flower length (height).—About 2 mm.         -   Flower buds.—Length: About 1 mm to 2 mm. Diameter: About             1 mm. Shape: Ovoid. Color: Close to 200A.         -   Petals.—Quantity and arrangement: Four in a single whorl.             Length: About 1.5 mm. Width: About 1.5 mm. Shape: Obovate.             Apex: Obtuse. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper             and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color: When opening,             upper and lower surfaces: Close to 157A. Fully opened, upper             and lower surfaces: Close to 157A; color does not change             with development.         -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: Four in a single whorl;             fused at the base, imbricate. Length: About 1 mm. Diameter:             About 1.5 mm. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Acute. Base: Truncate,             fused. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper and lower surfaces:             Smooth, glabrous. Color, upper and lower surfaces: Close to             142B.         -   Peduncles.—Length: About 7 mm. Diameter: About 0.75 mm.             Aspect: About 45° from stem axis. Strength: Strong;             flexible. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: Close to 141C.         -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Quantity per flower: About             five. Filament length: About 1.5 mm. Filament color: Close             to 142B. Anther length: About 1 mm. Anther shape: Spatulate.             Anther color: Close to 142B. Pollen amount: Moderate. Pollen             color: Close to 2D. Gynoecium: Quantity per flower: One.             Pistil length: About 2 mm. Style color: Close to 140B.             Stigma shape: Globular with three lobes. Stigma color: Close             to 142B. Ovary color: Close to 142B.         -   Fruits.—Length: About 7.5 mm. Diameter: About 5 mm. Shape:             Ovoid. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: Close to 44A.         -   Seeds.—Quantity per fruit: About four. Length: About 6 mm.             Diameter: About 4 mm. Shape: Oblong. Texture: Smooth,             glabrous. Color: Close to 152D. -   Garden performance: Plants of the new Ilex have been observed to     have good garden performance and to be tolerant to rain, wind and     low temperatures about −23° C. -   Pathogen & pest resistance: Plants of the new Ilex have been     observed to be resistant to root rots, Phytophthora and Pythium, and     to be tolerant to Melon Aphids (Aphis gossypii) and Two-spotted     Spider Mites (Tetranychus urticae). 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Ilex plant named ‘EN1’ as illustrated and described. 